On February 7, Amanda Gorman (opens in new tab) became the first person ever to read poetry at the Super Bowl (opens in new tab). The landmark moment came just two weeks after the 22-year-old read another piece, "The Hill We Climb (opens in new tab)," at Joe Biden's presidential swearing-in ceremony on January 20.

Gorman's Super Bowl appearance was announced at the end of January, a week after her inauguration appearance (opens in new tab); the NFL tapped Gorman, the nation's first National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017, to honor the game's three honorary captains They decided to write and perform original poems: educator Trimaine Davis of Los Angeles, COVID ICU Nurse Manager Susie Dorner of Tampa, and Marine Corps veteran James Martin.

"What is most exciting to me is not only that the poem will be placed at the forefront of the most watched television broadcast in the United States, but that it will honor three heroes who served their communities during the coronavirus pandemic," said Gorman. Gorman wrote in an Instagram post (opens in new tab) prior to the reading at the Super Bowl." When I was called upon with the idea of honoring these three amazing change makers, I was so moved by their altruism"

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She also noted that she had been approached about honoring the three "warriors" at the event long before she was invited to the inauguration, and that her Super Bowl spot was scheduled long before the actual game, "following strict Covid protocol," in her hometown L. 7]

" Chorus of Captains," her powerful poem told the story of Davis, Dorner, and Martin, honoring not only the three Super Bowl captains, but also their colleagues on the front lines of the pandemic. Here is the full text of her poem:

Today we honor our three captains For their actions and impact. We honor their actions and their impact. They took the lead, Transcended all expectations and limitations They energized their communities and their neighbors. as leaders, healers, and educators.

James has felt the scars of battle, But this warrior still shares his home with children at risk. He even lends a hand during COVID. He live streams football for his family and fans.

Trimaine is an educator who works nonstop, He provides hot spots for the community, He provides laptops and technology workshops, students need to succeed in life and in society. He provides students with all the tools they need to succeed in life and in school.

Susie is the head ICU nurse at a hospital in Tampa. Her chronicle proves that even in tragedy, hope is possible. She lost her grandmother in a pandemic, and is fighting to save other lives in the ICU's combat zone, define the heroes on the front lines who risk their lives for our own.

Walk with these warriors, Let us walk with our champions, And carry out the call of our captains! With courage and compassion With courage and compassion. By doing what is right and just. While we honor them today They are the ones who honor us every day.